The Villainess Cannot Escape — Five Beast Husbands Chase Her Madly-Chapter 111: Big Fish, Your Duty Is to Serve Your Female Master Well
"Darling, my newly brewed Moonlight Wine is chilled. Come have afternoon tea with me!"
Queen Jelena wore her Pearl Crown, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes crinkling with a honey-sweet smile.
"Of course, Mother Empress!"
Su An’an’s voice was also sweet enough to drip honey.
’She couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion.’
’Just a month ago, this noble Queen had fined her nine billion gold coins for abusing her Beast Husband.’
’Now, she was doting on her completely.’
The video call ended, and Little Pink suddenly scoffed.
"You successfully slapped the Rebel Army in the face last time, so Her Majesty took the opportunity to tear apart the treasonous nobles and carry out a bloodbath of the ten great families."
"The way she looks at you now, it’s like you’re more precious than a Phoenix that lays golden eggs."
Su An’an slipped on a pink velvet bathrobe and walked toward the dressing room. "It’s a good thing to have value. By the way, what’s the status of my ennoblement?"
"Hmph, I get angry just talking about it."
Little Pink’s tentacles coiled into angry spirals.
"Your ennoblement was blocked by that bunch of old geezers in the Cabinet."
"They’re holding your dark history of abusing your Beast Husband against you and absolutely refuse to grant you a fief."
"Who’s on the specific list?"
Su An’an took off the pink bathrobe, the dressing room mirror reflecting her sharp brows and fierce eyes.
All the anger that had risen due to Lan Cangming’s stubbornness was now redirected toward the old foxes who opposed her.
"The ringleader is Cabinet elder Olden, along with a few of his lackeys."
Little Pink displayed the list of opponents.
"They claim you are emotionally unstable and unfit for the position of Governor of a Large Star Zone."
"Although you’ve restored a good deal of your reputation by using the title of Jiu Su’s disciple, you’re still short on the concrete achievements needed for ennoblement."
"Her Majesty the Queen’s summons this time is likely intended to help you further improve your reputation."
"Boosting my reputation is a piece of cake for me."
Su An’an opened her wardrobe and chose a formal gown of black velvet embroidered with a golden Phoenix.
It had an off-the-shoulder design that revealed her long neck and perfect collarbones.
The black dress and the gold-thread Phoenix made her appear noble and stunningly cold, exuding an air of aloof detachment.
It was a complete change from her previous image as a soft, cute, girly-pink type.
Stepping out of her room in ten-centimeter, star-patterned high heels, Su An’an saw Lan Cangming standing ramrod straight beside a pillar in the corridor.
His white Marshal’s uniform was wrapped snugly around his tall, slender frame, and the Empire’s insignia gleamed with a cold, metallic luster.
Beneath his military cap, his blue-green eyes stared intently at her. His taut jawline was sharper than an alloy blade, and his entire being was like a drawn Cold Sword.
"Your Highness, please allow me to escort you to the Imperial Palace." His voice seemed to come from the depths of a glacier, each word cloaked in frost.
"Not necessary."
Su An’an lifted her skirt hem and deliberately slowed her pace as she brushed past him.
The moment her jet-black hair unintentionally swept across his wrist, Lan Cangming suddenly raised a hand, slamming his palm against the pillar behind her and trapping her.
He bent down, his posture one of utmost respect, yet his tone was cold enough to form frost. "Your safety is my only duty right now." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
Su An’an tilted her head up, a defiant flame burning in her eyes.
Her fair fingertips slowly caressed the medal on his chest, slid down the buttons of his uniform, and then suddenly grabbed his belt at the waist.
"Duty? The Mermaid Marshal who just refused my touch is suddenly remembering his duty now?"
"Don’t forget, your duty as a Beast Husband is to serve your Female Master well."
Lan Cangming lowered his eyes and remained silent, exuding an aura that kept everyone at a distance. Only the trembling of his fingertips betrayed his inner turmoil.
"Your Highness, you can’t be careless about your safety. You still need his protection," Little Pink urged anxiously in her sea of consciousness.
Su An’an abruptly pushed Lan Cangming away and turned toward the cub’s temperature-controlled pod, the sway of her skirt brushing against his military boots. "Whatever. Follow me if you want."
Lan Cangming followed silently behind Su An’an, as if he had melted into her shadow.
Inside the cub’s temperature-controlled pod, Qiuqiu was curled up into a fluffball, sleeping soundly while hugging the Big Pearl.
"Sweetie, time to wake up!"
Su An’an opened the pod door and gently rubbed the cub’s small, fuzzy ears.
Qiuqiu rubbed its eyelids and asked in a cute, childish voice, "Your Highness, aren’t you taking an afternoon nap?"
"Nope. Come on, you’re coming with me to the Imperial Palace to see the world."
Su An’an took a pink, long-eared bunny onesie from a cabinet. The fabric was even adorned with a fluffy little tail.
Just as she was about to put it on Qiuqiu, her wrist was suddenly gripped tight.
"It is the last bloodline of the Lizard Tribe," he said coldly. "If its identity is exposed, neither of us can protect it."
"That’s exactly why we need it to bond with the Queen ahead of time."
Su An’an shot him a look, pulled her hand back, and helped Qiuqiu into the pink onesie.
"Right now, it is Su Qiuqiu, the little female I adopted. Once Her Majesty the Queen grows fond of it, there will be room for negotiation even if its identity is leaked in the future."
’She refused to let Qiuqiu live as some dark secret that couldn’t see the light of day.’
"Your Highness, what if I suddenly transform when we’re outside?"
Qiuqiu’s ruby-like eyes were veiled with a mist of tears.
As the last offspring of Nieruo, it knew all too well what being discovered meant.
"Don’t be afraid. Look at this."
Su An’an pointed to a pink, carrot-shaped button on the onesie.
"This outfit also has a protective device. Press here, and it will turn into a protective shield to cover you. Only my fingerprint can unlock it."
Qiuqiu curiously pressed the pink carrot, and the pink onesie instantly transformed into a solid sphere, encasing it.
Lan Cangming tried pulling at the edge of the sphere. It had a metallic feel and didn’t budge an inch, no matter how much force he applied.
"It costs ten thousand gold coins a piece, so it’s got to be somewhat useful."
Satisfied, Su An’an used her thumb to unlock it.
The sphere turned back into the pink onesie.
"Wow, amazing! Was it very expensive?"
Qiuqiu’s little face was filled with worry.
’If it’s too expensive, I’m not worthy of it!’
"No price is too high for my little darling."
Su An’an pinched its chubby cheeks, then turned and raised an eyebrow at Lan Cangming. "Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep the Queen waiting."
She picked up Qiuqiu, walked to the Royal Airship, and turned to lift her chin at Lan Cangming, who was still outside the cabin.
"What are you standing there for? Mr. Bodyguard, if you don’t get on, you’ll be neglecting your duties."
Lan Cangming took a seat three places away from her, his back pressed ramrod straight against the leather seat.
Su An’an glanced at him, then deliberately turned her back to him and leaned down to play with Qiuqiu.
Lan Cangming’s gaze was involuntarily drawn to Su An’an, lingering on her fair neck.
But the instant she turned her head, he sharply averted his eyes.
Outside, the flowing light of the nebula streaked past the porthole, carving his tense profile into sharp angles of light and shadow.
’Keeping our distance is better for everyone.’
He repeated this mantra in his heart, his nails digging deep into his palm.
「The airship landed.」
Su An’an carried Qiuqiu into the Royal Garden.
"My little rose, you’ve finally arrived."
Her Majesty the Queen greeted her with a smile.
On a carved wicker chair beside her sat the second princess, Alita. Her beautiful face had a healthy, rosy complexion, and she was clearly in good spirits.
Standing behind her was the 3S Golden Leopard Beastman Louis.
He glanced at Su An’an impassively, but when his gaze fell upon Qiuqiu, his golden, beastly pupils suddenly narrowed into dangerous slits.
’Why does this little cub have a familiar scent?’
